Citizen science, the active participation of the public in scientific research projects, is a rapidly expanding field in open science and open innovation. It provides an integrated model of public knowledge production and engagement with science. As a growing worldwide phenomenon, it is invigorated by evolving new technologies that connect people easily and effectively with the scientific community. Catalysed by citizens’ wishes to be actively involved in scientific processes, as a result of recent societal trends, it also offers contributions to the rise in tertiary education. In addition, citizen science provides a valuable tool for citizens to play a more active role in sustainable development.

This book identifies and explains the role of citizen science within innovation in science and society, and as a vibrant and productive science-policy interface. The scope of this volume is global, geared towards identifying solutions and lessons to be applied across science, practice and policy. The chapters consider the role of citizen science in the context of the wider agenda of open science and open innovation, and discuss progress towards responsible research and innovation, two of the most critical aspects of science today.

Praise for Citizen Science'Intended for a diverse audience, which could include policy-makers, researchers, practitioners, and universities, Citizen Science: Innovation in Open Science, Society and Policy is an important contribution to literature about citizen science.'PLOS

‘If you want to understand what citizen science is, how it has already demonstrated the value in mobilising large groups of citizen scientist in doing research and solving challenges and how we can build on this potential in the future, this is a great place to start.’Nesta Blog

Aletta Bonn is Professor of Ecosystem Services at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena and Head of Department at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ within the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig.

Anne Bowser is Director for Innovation at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC.

Johannes Vogel is the Director General, Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, and Professor for Biodiversity and Public Science at the Humboldt University, Berlin.

Muki Haklay is Professor of Geographic Information Science at the Department
of Geography, UCL.

Susanne Hecker is Research Associate at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ and the
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig.

'Intended for a diverse audience, which could include policy-makers, researchers, practitioners, and universities, Citizen Science: Innovation in Open Science, Society and Policy is an important contribution to literature about citizen science. The authors effectively evaluate innovations in technology, participation, education, and policy focused on expanding the impact of citizen science. The writers’ theory of learning is especially useful; they describe educational techniques to enhance and improve project participation and the participant experience.

A significant achievement of the book is its recommendation to democratize citizen science. The authors advocate involving all interested citizens, including less experienced and less privileged participants. I found the book’s emphasis on “education of attention” particularly enlightening: if citizens’ observation skills are sharpened, more reliable citizen data will be available to scientists and policy-makers to confidently fund citizen science projects. With the depth and scope of perspectives that Heker et al use to approach the frontiers of citizen science (its contribution to science, engagement of diverse citizens, and its collaborative possibilities), the writers elucidate new paths for the development of the field and its impact on our environment, urban space, and health.' PLOS Blogs

‘If you want to understand what citizen science is, how it has
already demonstrated the value in mobilising large groups of citizen scientist
in doing research and solving challenges and how we can build on this potential
in the future, this is a great place to start.’